School bus stop signal



May 12, 1964 H. E. FULTZ SCHOOL BUS STOP SIGNAL Filed May 2, 1960 68 INVEN TOR.

BY HARRY E. FULTZ Avramvzr United States Patent 3,133,265 SCHUQL BUS STUP SIGNAL Harry E. Fultz, 6009 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, Ind. Filed May 2, 1960, Ser. No. 26,030 1 Claim. (iii. 340-83) This invention relates to a tralfic signal for school buses and other similar passenger vehicles to warn hig y traffic that the bus is stopped and is discharging passengers and more particularly to an improved traflic signal of the type disclose-d in my patent, No. 2,9203 09.

An object of the invention is to provide a traffic signal which includes both self-illuminating means of the flasher type to attract attention and also a written sign indicating the motorist to stop, the self-illuminating means being disposed to direct attention specifically to the written signal STOP or the like.

\Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a tront elevation view of the sign as it is seen by trafiic approaching the [front end of the bus;

FIGURE 2 is a section view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric .view of the sign looking at that side of the sign which is visible to the trafiic approaching the rear of the bus, one of the flasher housings being shown removed; and,

FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical means tor illuminating the flasher signal.

The trafiic signal comprises a relatively thin cross-section panel having flanged edges '12 and 14 and which includes lettering 16 at opposite sides 18 and 20, this lettering spelling STOP or a similar message. The letters 16 are large enough to be prominent and easily recognizable at a distance so that the oncoming traflic can recognize the traffic signal and come to a halt within a safe distance from the bus. The panel 12 has openings 22 to receive tasteners attaching the panel to one hinge 24, the other hinge 26 being suitably secured to the side of the bus at some point convenient to the driver and at the drivers side of the bus. The handle 28 or the like may be provided to operate the signal from a position extending outwardly across the highway for a clear display to the oncoming trafiic. The operating means and particular mounting of the signal to the bus iorm no essential part of the present invention.

It will be noticed that the panel 10 is of relatively thin cross-section so that it will lie closely against the side of the bus and not project dangerously away when it is retraoted and not in use.

At the end of the panel 10 opposite its connection to hinge 24 is a second panel 30 which is constructed perpendicularly to panel 10 and is fastened to panel 10 by means of spot welding or rivets (not shown) which pass through \aligned openings 32 oi panels 10 and 30 respectively. Panel 30 has flanged edges 34 and 36 to rigidify the panel 30 against bending, the flange 36 of panel 30 and the outermost sections of flanges 12 and '14 being notched so that the two panels will lie flatly one against the other. At the upper and lower ends of panel 30 are cylindrical housings 38 which are iastened by screws 40 or the like to panel 30 through openings 42 and convex red glass lenses 44 at each of the opposite sides of the panel 30 form a compartment wherein is mounted a light bulb 46 which illuminates the lenses 44 3,l33,2fi5 Patented May 12, 1954 "ice and flashes a prominent red signal at opposite sides of the sign to the oncoming trafiic from the two different directions approaching the front and rear of the bus. The red flashing signals blink above and below the stop sign to arrest the attention of the motorist.

The light bulbs 46 are screwed in sockets 50 which are located within housings 38 and conducotrs 52 are connected to the sockets as shown in FIGURE 3. Conductors 52 are passed through conduits 56 located within grooves 58 in the side of panel 10. In this manner, the conductors do not interfere with the retraction of the sign against the side of the bus nor do they detract from the lettering of the sign telling the motorist to stop.

The light bulbs 46 are operated by a blinker '76 to provide a blinker or flasher type signal, these having been found to be the most arresting signal.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the circuitry for illuminating bulbs 46 in a flasher arrangement will be explained. The

bulbs 46 are connected with conductors 56, each of which is grounded at 60. The one conductor 56 is connected to a terminal L62 which is the load'terminal while the other conductor 56 is connected to terminal P64 which is the pilot lamp. The hot terminal 66X is connected with conductor 68 which connects with a six or twelvevolt battery 70 through a switch '72, the battery being grounded at 74.

The flasher 76 may be a six-volt or a twelve-volt flasher and one acceptable flasher is one which is marketed under the trade name of Tungsol.

One of the main advantages of the present invention is that the flasher signals send their beams at opposite directions and hence are effective to warn traffic approaching trom each opposite direction, and the signal is so arranged that it flashes off and on rat spaced vertical points above and below the stop sign. Moreover, the lights are disposed so that they are the outermost part of the signal and are located tarthest from the bus so as to be most apparent. All of these tactors are involved and con tribute toward an effective attentiomcatching signal which will warn the oncoming traflic in plenty of time to stop.

What is claimed is:

A stop signal for use on bus vehicles to warn approaching trafli'c, said tralflc signal comprising a substantially flat elongated panel having lettering thereon on its opposite sides and of prominent size to be readily seen as a stop sign, a substantially flat transverse panel interlocked with said elongated panel at the one end of said elongated panel, said transverse panel having its ends projecting beyond said elongated panel, a light flasher signal disposed [at each end of said transverse panel to provide a visual signal to oppositely approaching traflic and providing a dual blinker signal at vertical points above and below said transverse panel, means hingedly supporting the end of said panel opposite said one end to bring said signal from a position closely adjacent to the side of said bus to a position extending across the highway, and electrical conducting means including said light flashor signal for energizing said signal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,280,831 P-itketbly et .al. Oct. 8, 1918 1,991,483 Anderson Feb. 19, 1935 2,155,617 Roan et al Apr. 25, 1939 2,203,988 Griswold June 11, 1940 2,243,472 Roan et al May 27, 1941 2,920,309 Fultz J an. 5, 1960 

